Ars Nova News

THE PLACE WE BUILT - a new play by Sarah Gancher that marks the 2nd annual production from the Clifford Odets Play Commission - will receive its debut tonight, December 11-14 at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre (115 E. 15 St. Lee Strasberg Way) in Manhattan.

HAM: A Musical Memoir, a new theatrical event based on Sam Harris' book, HAM: Slices of a Life (a collection of stories and essays published by Simon & Schuster) will premiere at Theater 511 at Ars Nova in the New Year. This innovative and exciting hybrid theatrical concept is the culmination of Harris' successful 30 year career as actor, vocalist and, now, author. HAM: A Musical Memoir will play a limited engagement, with preview performances beginning Thursday, January 8, 2015, with an opening night set for Monday, January 12, 2015.

Bernard Pomerance's Tony Award-winning play The Elephant Man, starring two-time Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper as John Merrick, Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson as Mrs. Kendal, and Alessandro Nivola as Dr. Frederick Treves, is directed by Tony Award nominee Scott Ellis. The production officially opens at Broadway's Booth Theatre tonight, December 7, 2014. Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch interviews with the cast!

Partial Comfort Productions (Obie Award winner and Drama Desk nominee A Bright New Boise) kicks off its 12th season with THE WELCOME MAT READING SERIES, a collection of bold and groundbreaking new plays by four of the country's fastest-rising female playwrights.

Dixon Place's new musical commission, WAR LESBIAN, will have its world premiere beginning December 5th. Featuring Erin Markey this original musical, with book by Kristine Haruna Lee, music by Kathryn Hathaway and a cast of ten is directed by Jordan Fein in collaboration with harunalee. WAR LESBIAN will play seven performances only - tonight, December 5th, 6th, 12th,13th, 19th, and 20th at 7:30PM, and December 20th at 10:00PM at Dixon Place (161 Christie Street).

Do you believe in heaven? If so, what does it look like? That's what playwright Bekah Brunstetter explores in her new work, Going to a Place where you Already Are. It's up next for South Coast Repertory's NewSCRipts reading series on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m., on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Tickets are available online at ?www.scr.org. The play is an SCR commission.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return to JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater on Sunday, December 7 at 9:30 PM to continue its landmark 6th season. The Meeting* has been called 'delicious and delightfully droll' by The New York Post and 'hilarious and sardonic' by The Village Voice. A story for Slate.com called the evening 'so deliciously icy that it left me shivering with fear and delight.' The season's previous shows sold out after a New York Times 'Arts & Leisure' piece ran in September. The December show marks the 5th annual Holiday Spectacular from The Meeting*, with special guests Lady Rizo, Julian Fleisher, Connie Champagne, Michael Friedman, David Drake, Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson. Tracy Stark serves as the show's Music Director.

the cell will present the New York Premiere of HORSE GIRLS, a black comedy by Jenny Rachel Weiner. Directed by Sarah Krohn, previews begin tonight, December 3 at the cell with opening slated for Wednesday, December 10.

Direct from a smash hit, sold out show at Joe's Pub, Lisa Rothauser (The Producers) will present her one-woman show, Life. WTF? in the Rosebud Room at NYC's newest live performance venue, 42West (514 W 42nd Street), on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 7 pm.

By The Water, the new play by Sharyn Rothstein, directed by Hal Brooks, starts the final week of its run today as part of The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

Tony Award-nominee Annaleigh Ashford will bring her unique brand of humor and talent back to 54 Below for three December shows of Annaleigh Ashford - Lost in the Stars, which will run consecutively on Monday nights beginning tonight, December 1, 2014 at 9:30pm.

Ben Rimalower's addiction to spending beyond his means has driven him to extreme lengths all his life. In BAD WITH MONEY he charts his sometimes hilarious, sometimes harrowing struggle to overcome his problem-or get rich trying.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return to Joe's Pub at The Public Theater on Sunday, December 7 at 9:30 PM to continue its landmark 6th season. The December show marks the 5th annual Holiday Spectacular from The Meeting*, with special guests to be announced. Tracy Stark serves as the show's Music Director.

Nutcracker: Part I, The Workshop: An immersive, dance-theatre reimagining of the classic ballet, performed in the cavernous Knockdown Center, depicts the life-story of a woman (and dancer) named Clara.

A seasoned group of Broadway helmers are bringing magic, drama, history, romance and more to the Great White Way this season. Below, BroadwayWorld rounded up this fall's directors for an in-depth look at their careers.

Following previous season's sold-out holiday hits, The Snow Queen, Hansel and Gretel, the A.R.T. Institute, in association with the Loeb Drama Center, brings back the enchanting musical, The Light Princess, by Lila Rose Kaplan with music by Mike Pettry, directed by Allegra Libonati, with choreography by Jeff and Rick Kuperman. Performances will be held at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge from December 7 through January 4, 2015.

Partial Comfort Productions (Obie Award winner and Drama Desk nominee A Bright New Boise) kicks off its 12th season with THE WELCOME MAT READING SERIES, a collection of bold and groundbreaking new plays by four of the country's fastest-rising female playwrights.

Dixon Place's new musical commission, WAR LESBIAN, will have its world premiere beginning December 5th. Featuring Erin Markey this original musical, with book by Kristine Haruna Lee, music by Kathryn Hathaway and a cast of ten is directed by Jordan Fein in collaboration with harunalee. WAR LESBIAN will play seven performances only - December 5th, 6th, 12th,13th, 19th, and 20th at 7:30PM, and December 20th at 10:00PM at Dixon Place (161 Christie Street).

Fresh Produce'd L.A. presents the world premiere production HEY BROTHER by Bekah Brunstetter. Produced by Riva Di Paola and Lucas Dixon, the show will be directed by Alexis Jacknow and stars Lucas Dixon (Yale MFA), Graham Outerbridge (A.C.T. MFA) and Kahyun Kim (Julliard BFA). The show runs tonight, November 21st - Sunday, December 14th, 2014.

BEN RIMALOWER: 'PATTI ISSUES' -- the hit solo play -- will return to The Duplex for two performances only, this weekend, November 21 and 22 at 9:30 PM.